of jesus christ - house of intercessory prayer ministries · 2019-05-24 · crown given to the...

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of Jesus Christ

Recap

Chapter 1: Introduction & the vision of the Son of Man

Chapter 2-3: Letter to the seven churches

Chapter 4: The throne scene & God praised as the creator

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Three fold division of the Book (V1:19)


Things which you have seen

Chapter: 1

(We have already studied)

Things which are

Chapter: 2 -3

(We have already studied)

Things which will take place after this

Chapter :

4 -22 (We are about to

start)

Transition from Chapter 3 to 4 • We are moving now from the scene of the earth to

the scene of heaven.

• Between end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4 something took place to move the church from the earth to the heaven.

• That must be the rapture. (Notes)

• Rapture is not explicitly dealt with in the book of Revelation, but the only possible explanation for the sudden change is Rapture.

• There are few reasons that may help us to understand this better


Reason 1 – Very structure of the book • V1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the

things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

• Key Phrase – things which shall be hereafter “Greek: meta tauta”

• V4:1 …I will show you the things which must take place after this or hereafter “Greek: meta tauta”

• John is saying I am going to write the things that must take place hereafter, after the church age.

• That means the church is no more on earth. • The very organization of the Book of Revelation

demands that something drastic going on between chapter 3 and chapter 4.


Reasons 2 – The term “Church” • Silence concerning the Church in the rest of the Book

of Revelation. • Ch. 4 to 19 is all about the tribulation that is going to

take place on the earth. • Ch. 4 & 5 Introduce the tribulation, 6 onwards

opening of the 7 seals, 7 trumpet and 7 vials or the bowls of wrath of God.

• There is not one mention of the church in Ch. 4 – 19. • Why? Because the church is already in Heaven. • How do we know? We look through the door opened

in heaven and find church there in V4:1 • How did it go there? Through Rapture.


Reasons 2 – The term “Church”(Example 1)

• Seven times in Ch. 2 & 3 we read, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

• But look at in V 13.9 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” Where are the Churches? They are not here. They are up in Heaven. How did they go there? By Rapture.

• It is important to know this. Seventh day Adventist, Mormons and Roman Catholics and others try to apply Ch. 4-Ch.19 to the church. No that is WRONG!

• The War is about to breakout and Christ has already called His ambassadors back home by Rapture.


Reasons 2 – The term “Church”(Example 2)

• Churches name for God is Our Father. • From Rev 4-19, God is not even once addressed as

Father. He is called God, Lord, Al Mighty, etc. • But the name in which He has been known to the

churches “Father “ is not mentioned. • Even if mentioned, God is mentioned as Father of

Christ, not as Father of the believers. Because believers are not on the earth.


Reasons 3 – Spirit of God has been transferred from earth to Heaven

• Spirit of God has been transferred from earth to heaven. Spirit of God has been said to be in the midst of the churches, now is in heaven.

• V4:5 – Holy Spirit is in heaven, transferred to heaven. Believers are not on earth so the Holy Spirit is not on earth

• 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 • Who is the wicked on – the Anti Christ • When he will be revealed – In the tribulation • Who is the restrainer – the Holy Spirit. • Where does he live – in the heart of the believer • When the Holy Spirit will be taken away – When the

church is taken up. 9 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

Reasons 4 – Similarity with other scriptures

Similarity between V4:1 & 2 and other scriptures about Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Revelation 4:1,2 1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

1st element: Voice calling John, Voice of an Archangel 2nd element: Trumpet – Voice is of the trumpet 3rd element: Change Rev 4:2 he was in the spirit John says I changed Immediately I was in the Spirit Paul says immediately we shall be changed.


Reasons 5 – Symbolic presence of John in Heaven

• John symbolically represents the rapture. • John is representative of the church. • John always had a special relationship with Christ • Jesus loved all the disciples, but particularly John. • Jesus loved the whole world, but particularly the

church. • John V21:20-24 He is going to be alive till the second

coming of Christ. I am going to give John a view of My coming. So He took John to the isle of Patmos and gave the vision.

• Between Ch. 3 & 4 is the Rapture and the church is in heaven while the earth go through the tribulation.


What are we going to see in Heaven?

• The door of heaven is going to open only twice in the book of Revelation. V4:1, V19:11

• Door opens first time when we go up (in Rapture) and door opens for the second time when we come down ( with Christ to rule and reign the earth).

• The door of heaven is open, we could see what is going on there. Worship. Everything in heaven is bowing down before the throne.

• Key to the 4th Chapter is the word “Throne”. It is found 46 times in the book of Revelation, but 12 times in Ch 4.

• Everything in heaven is around the throne, before the throne, from the throne, midst of the throne.


V4:2 & 3 • Throne and the one was sitting on the throne. • Description of God is possible only with comparison.

Because He is beyond description. All he could say is • He who sat on the throne was like jasper and sardius

stone. • Jasper is a clear gem like a diamond. Gigantic stone. • Sardian stone is like Ruby. • Someone said, Diamond refers to the Glory of God

and Ruby refers to His sacrifice. • We see a circular green (emerald is green) rainbow

around the throne. • What does rainbow signify? Gen 9:11 & 13. How

ever I judge the world, I will do it with a measure of mercy for the remnant, the church. 13

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V 4:4 Seated upon the throne is God, Around the throne is a green rainbow Sitting around the throne are the twenty four elders They are not angels. They are not the 12 tribes of Israel with 2 representatives. They are not the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes. Then who are they? 1. Praise on their lips (Ch.5:8&9)…Those are the

believers, they are the representatives of the church 2. Cloth they wear – Who is clothed in white robes? The

believers who have been translated into heaven. Ch. 19:7 &8 (the Church)


V 4:4 3. Crown that is on their head. Crown – The Greek Diadem, Crown in Rev 4 is not a Royal crown diadem given to King, but the Greek Stephanos crown given to the victors in the game. Who are the victors? They are the believers. The church of Jesus Christ is given the crown. The 24 elders are the representatives of the church.


V 4:5 4. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings and voices. It is a throne of judgment. Thank God we don’t need to go that kind of throne now. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In Exodus 20:18 When God gave the law to Moses there was thunderings, lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. Now we are back to the throne of judgment where lightnings, thunderings and voices again. Ch. 8:5, 10:3, 11:19, 16:18,


V 4:5&6 What are these lightnings, thunderings and voices coming out of the throne in heaven? John was reminded that God was about to judge those who rejected His son Jesus Christ. Those who have not rejected His son are in heaven, they are not part of this judgment. 5. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne – Seven spirits of God. 6. In heaven, Sea of glass like crystal. It is always associated with the throne of God. Ex.24:10, Rev21:21, It keeps people from going closer to the throne. It is a separation of the rest form the glory of God and from the throne of God where comes lightnings, thunderings and voices.


V 4:6-8 7. Around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and back. 1st like a lion 2nd like a calf 3rd face like a man 4th like a flying eagle Each having six wings Full of eyes around Do not rest day and night, saying Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come


V 4:6-8 Some one says, four living creatures represents four Gospels – 4 Major aspects of Jesus Christ Mathew represents Christ as the king, Lion of Judah Calf or Ox represents Christ as the faithful servant of Jehovah in Mark Man represents the human Jesus presented in the Gospel of Luke Eagle represents the divine son of God presented in the Gospel of John

Someone else says, these are attributes of God, As they are not just around the throne, they are in the midst of the throne (V4:6) Best Commentary of the Bible is the Bible. Who are these living creatures? Ezekiel 1: Ezekiel saw the opened heaven Ezekiel 10:14-17 gives the answer who they are


V 4:9-11 What are the four living creatures do? A day in the life of an angel Rev 6:1,3,5,7 The angels now standing with God are ready to be dispatched to execute judgment. First things angels do is execute judgment Secondly they lead in worship (V 4:8) Worship of the twenty four elders - V 4:8-11 Bible talks about five different crowns: 1. Crown of Incorruption – who live a disciplined life 2. Crown of life – who patiently endure trials 3. Crown of rejoicing – to those who joyously express their faith 4. Crown of Glory – who are faithful in ministering the Word 5. Crown of Righteousness - who are eagerly waiting for His

return


V 4:9-11 Angels praise God differently than the elders do? Angels V4:8 (Third person praise). Church V4:11 You are worthy,… there is an intimacy in worship. (Second person praise). 1 Peter 1:12 Angels don’t understand they way church praises.


To Summarize John saw the open door of heaven and was called to see the heavenly setup. He saw the throne The one who sat on the throne He was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance A circular green (emerald is green) rainbow seen around the throne Around the throne were twenty four thrones Twenty four elders sitting on the thrones Clothed in white robes and with golden crowns From the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings and voices Seven lamps of fire burning before the throne were the seven spirits Before the throne was the sea of glass like crystal separates the throne from the rest In the midst and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and back 1st like a lion, 2nd like a calf, 3rd face like a man, 4th like a flying eagle Each having six wings, Full of eyes around, Do not rest day and night, saying Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come Twenty four elders fall down before Him in worship casting their crowns before the throne saying You are worthy Oh Lord of creation.


To be more precise,

The heaven is getting ready to execute judgment on the earth on those who rejected Jesus Christ. But the church is in heaven, escaping the judgment wrath of God as it is represented by the twenty four elders.


of jesus christ - house of intercessory prayer ministries · 2019-05-24 · crown given to the...

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